Ever been down a trail on your bike and gone through sand and just fell off straight away. Read this article to possibly be prepared for it.

Steps

1

If you're riding along and encounter anything boggy, don't slam on the brakes and turn around.. quitters do that.. how are you going to know what"s on the other side of the bog if you don't go through it?..

2

If a bog , look for the most shallow , straight rut . Maintain speed and keep your butt as far toward the rear of the seat as you are comfortable while standing up in the attack/crouched stance . Roll on a little more throttle just before the bog .

3

The second you hit the bog you'll lose some speed which is why you must stay on the throttle . NEVER shift down or dump the clutch as this will tend to dig in the bog .Ideally have the throttle from 50-75 % not wide open.

4

Try to keep your feet on the pegs and weight back all the way through . Dabbing one foot down or dog paddling is OK if you have to , but chances of getting stuck go way up and its not a fast way through .

5

For advanced riders : Look for a rock , hump or small log in advance of the bog . Gas it hard right up to the aberration , bounce on the pegs to get the most spring off the aberration . Keep the bike level and clear the bog in the air . Gas it a micro second before the rear wheel hits the ground .

For sand conditions

1

Ruts don't matter unless they are over hardpack. In more typical sandy conditions , stay on the gas everywhere . Drive harder into turns carrying more momentum . Think of sand as a dragging front brake.

2

If the bike has adjustable fork compression settings , add one or two more clicks compression resistance to help prevent plowing and to help keep the bike level in whoops . Leave the rebound damping as is .

3

Its OK to use light clutch in turns and a little wheel spin is O.K. Forget using the front brake in sand . If overshooting a turn , drag the rear brake a bit and stay on the gas , even if you only apply 20-30 % throttle .

4

Stay loose , breathe regularly and let the bike traverse side to side as it hunts though the ruts on straightaways . Stay on the gas . If there are a lot of whoops try to get enough momentum to shift up a gear higher . This keeps the rear suspension less loaded so it can work better and it will tend to make the bike get on top of the sand . Stay on the gas always . Even if you drag the rear brake in whoop or out of crash fear .

5

If the front wheel plows abruptly you may crash but often its saved by muscling it somewhat straight and adding more throttle simultaneously . If you crash , don't emphasize catching yourself . Try to roll your body even before you hit the ground .

6

If you ride in sand a lot and not on paved rods or hard pack , try a paddle tire on the rear . Traction will be very good , much easier to keep the front end light and the whole bike more on top of the sand .

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Tips

the more weight on the back the better.

Keep that power on! even a trickle of power should keep you upright.. if you let go the engine brakes will do what they do best... brake and you will end up on the ground having to pick a bike out of the bog..

if feel uneasy like you're going to fall off, just stay consistent on the throttle.

Concentrate and focus on riding . Don't sight-see and don't think about anything else . Stay 100% focused on the moment and what's ahead in the next 10–100 feet (3.0–30.5 m) depending on your speed .